P. R. Sreejesh

“Now if I go back home with an Olympic medal, the reaction of my family will give me immense satisfaction.”

“The quality of players at the domestic level is very low when they come to the Indian camp. From that level to reach the international level, they will have to do lot of hard work at the Indian camp.”

“Pakistan are definitely our main rivals. We do respect the players but on the field, we push ourselves even harder to get that win. I am sure they do the same against us. Victory against them has a special meaning.”

“My role is just about sharing my experiences with the younger guys in the team. It is just like how parents guide their kids or a teacher guides his students.”

“When you are stepping on the field as a hockey player you are part of a dream and being a team member you have your responsibilities, you have your duties.”

“The multi-captaincy system helps me to concentrate and focus on my responsibility. In my case, I can concentrate on my goalkeeping, and others on their responsibilities allotted to them like scoring goals, defending and things like that.”

“Books changed my perception about the sacrifices we make as athletes.”

“When you're in the hockey team, you're treated like a VIP. There are people around you looking after you, making sure you get 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep every day.”

“I have always said being part of the team and winning a medal for my country was my first preference.”

“When you are in the field you just need to give your best, it doesn't matter whether you are the lone goalkeeper or not.”

“All the participating countires in Tokyo 2020 were good, but this time we worked really hard and had the confidence that we can achieve it in Tokyo.”

“If I've been disciplined through the week, on Sunday I treat myself to mutton biryani. I can have up to one kg of it for a meal.”

“My aim has always been to improve with every performance and be an added strength to the side.”

“Your name never stands for anything, only performances do.”

“I was under Adrian D'Souza, then under Bharat Chettri. The things that I learnt under them are helping me in my career now.”

“When I got injured, when I did the surgery, I made a promise to myself: I will wear the India jersey again.”

“People in my state, Kerala, have started playing hockey, which is very pleasing to see.”

“I like working out in the morning.”

“The motto to work hard and get back that India jersey never died in me.”

“I know what was happening to me during the 2012 London Olympics. I was in a fantasy world. You look this side, Usain Bolt is walking, Serena Williams is sitting next to you and having food. So that is really a fantasy world for a youngster.”